Toyota is reportedly working on a 7-seater Corolla Cross to compete with other 3-row crossovers such as the Hyundai Grand Creta…
A fresh report out of India claims Toyota is hard at work developing a 7-seater Corolla Cross, though it’s not yet clear whether such a model would be offered outside of the subcontinent.
According to Autocar India, the rumoured 3-row version of the Corolla Cross would gain around an extra 150 mm between its axles, which would take its wheelbase to 2 790 mm (and see it compete with the likes of the Hyundai Grand Creta). That, says the publication, would be enough to allow the Japanese firm to squeeze in a 3rd row of (2) seats, which would fold neatly into the floor when not in use.
It’s worth noting the standard Corolla Cross – which Toyota South Africa Motors builds at its Prospecton facility in KwaZulu-Natal – is currently not offered in India. In fact, the report suggests the proposed 7-seater version would be produced alongside the (likewise 3-row) Innova Hycross at the Bidadi factory in Bengaluru.
By lengthening the wheelbase by around 150 mm, there would be space for an extra pair of seats.
Employing a version of the TNGA-C platform, it would furthermore share that model’s powertrain options for India, which take the form of a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine and a hybrid arrangement based on the same 4-cylinder unit.
The Autocar India report suggests the 7-seater Corolla Cross would require longer rear doors (in order to ease ingress to the 3rd row), changes to the C- and D-pillars, and even some styling tweaks. The publication puts forward the idea Toyota would differentiate this larger version by revising the front bumper, grille and headlights, while also redesigning the rear.
So, if a bigger Corolla Cross were to make it to production, would we see it here in South Africa? Well, it’s perhaps too early to say. There’s the question of production (would Toyota SA Motors be prepared to import the 7-seater body style from India or would it have to build it at Prospecton?) as well as the potential for cannibalisation of RAV4 and even Fortuner sales. The upcoming introduction of the new, larger Urban Cruiser (known as the Hyryder in India) will further muddy the waters.
As a reminder, the Corolla Cross line-up – which offers the option of hybrid power and has current pricing bookends of R371 200 and R495 200 – managed a whopping 15 855 registrations in South Africa in 2022, putting it 4th on the list of the country’s best-selling passenger vehicles for the year.
Round 4 of the GR Yaris racing series heads to Red Star Raceway where Ash is forced to start from the back. How far up the field can he get?
In episode 3 of our Toyota GR Yaris cup season, our in-house racer Ash heads to Red Star Raceway, a track with nearly as many corners as Spa Francorchamps in half the length. Can he get to grips with the track quickly enough to be on pace with the local legends he’s up against?
There are some dodgy overtaking manoeuvres and the final heat takes place as the sun sets showing off beautiful glowing brake discs. Ash is forced to start from the back in heat 2 due to new regulations, but how far can he make his way up the field in just 6 laps?
The Fiat 500X has been updated for 2023 and its line-up now includes a novel semi-convertible derivative. We drove the latest iteration of the small crossover in Gauteng.
When the small crossover craze was in its infancy (about a decade ago), Fiat sought to reinterpret its adorable – and perennially popular – 500 city car as a compact family car. Given the packaging limitations of the diminutive 500, it stood to reason that the 500X would come to market as a fashionable “baby SUV” that appealed to those who have families and/or lifestyles that require additional loading space.
The Fiat 500X is not based on the 500, however – it shares a platform with its Stellantis-group cousin, the Jeep Renegade. Following its local debut in 2015, the Fiat 500X has received numerous revisions in an effort to keep it fresh; our market received such an update just 2 years ago (in September 2021).
The 500X in Cross trim
What’s on offer?
The Cult and Connect trim levels have been removed from the 2023 Fiat 500X range. The line-up now comprises the Cross, Sport and a new addition, the Extended Soft Top (EST). Essentially, the flagship EST offers a convertible-like experience, with a canvas roof that opens the entire length of the cabin.
The fabric roof can be opened in just 15 seconds when the vehicle is stationary or travelling at up to 100 kph. It genuinely covers almost the entire roof area; while most models at this price point offer either a sunroof or a panoramic roof, the fully-opening roof certainly is certainly novel (and an acquired taste).
It’s still a great-looking vehicle after all these years
The entire range is powered by the tried-and-tested 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine, which has peak outputs of 103 kW/230 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The model is front-wheel driven and Fiat claims that 500X derivatives will, on average, consume 5.7 L/100 km.
You can distinguish the latest-spec Fiat 500X from its predecessors by its revised front-end execution – the Fiat badge has been replaced with a bold 500 logo. Given the rich heritage of the Fiat 500, there’s certainly merit in suggesting that “500” (like Land Cruiser) is strong enough to be a standalone brand.
The Sport features 19-inch wheels and a matching body kit
What’s it like to drive?
First impressions count for a lot and the Fiat 500X still looks fantastic, especially when clad in a bold paint finish. In Sport trim, the car looks especially purposeful, replete with colour-coded bodywork.
Our launch route incorporated various road surfaces, which ranged from a reasonably well-maintained highway to some horrendously potholed back roads that were, frankly, barely fit to support mechanised transport. Most of the potholes resembled wells; if we hit one, there was a genuine risk of cracking a rim.
Suffice it to say, we needed to execute a number of evasive driving manoeuvres to keep the venerable Italian small crossover out of harm’s way, so we were thankful for the Fiat’s steering setup. Although it’s not the most direct – in fact, it’s a bit vague – it was responsive and light enough to make the 500X quite darty. The lightness is great for round town, where narrow streets and tight parking spaces are common.
The interior has some personality and feels reasonably well assembled
If you’re looking for a sporty-ish driving experience, the Fiat 500X isn’t the best in its class. Granted, models in this segment don’t prioritise driver engagement, but the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen T-Roc are nicer to drive. The latter’s drawback is that you need to spec it up, which further inflates its price.
The Fiat 500X’s ride quality is a mixed bag. In Cross trim, the vehicle rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport version wears 19-inch units. While the suspension is relatively pliant on the open road and should facilitate easy long-distance cruising, it tends to fidget and never absorbs road imperfections entirely. Plus, the Sport rides harder than what we’d deem as acceptable for this class of vehicle.
The powertrain’s figures seem quite adequate. We drove both Cross and Sport derivatives, but their odometres had very low kilometre readings. Consequently, the brand-new cars’ powertrains felt a trifle lethargic, which was surprising – we recall that the 1.4-litre turbopetrol can be quite energetic when it needs to be. We’re keen to drive the 2023 Fiat 500X again, once the test units have been “run in” more.
Trust us, once its 103 kW/230 Nm mill hits its straps, the Fiat 500X can deliver a solid turn of pace, but be mindful that the forced-induction engine’s note will get coarse when you rev it beyond 4500 rpm.
Another gripe is that while the cabin looks acceptably attractive, feels reasonably well-made and is fitted with virtually all the features that one may expect to find at the price point, the Fiat’s fascia is equipped with a tiny infotainment touchscreen. Yes, it’s functional and usable, but a 7-inch screen is laughably small by modern standards; it takes the pleasure out of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
The infotainment system has all the mod cons, but the screen is too small
Practicality is not the 500X’s strong point either – there aren’t enough cupholders or storage spaces for phones and keys. As for space in the 2nd row, adults will find the leg- and headroom severely limited.
How much does the Fiat 500X cost in South Africa?
Fiat 500X Cross
R509 900
Fiat 500X Sport
R560 900
Fiat 500X Sport EST
R580 900
The Fiat 500X is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, 5 years’ roadside assistance and a 3-year/60 000 km service plan.
Summary
Minor revisions and the novelty of a pseudo-convertible experience (courtesy of the folding roof on the newly introduced flagship EST derivative) have helped keep the Fiat 500X in the news, but in reality, it’s a middle-of-the-pack offering. Despite the tweaks, one can’t help but notice that the Italian brand’s small crossover is showing its age; by modern standards, a 9-year-old passenger car model is a dinosaur.
It’s certainly a great-looking vehicle, which helps, but sadly, the new-vehicle market is cutthroat at this price point and the Fiat 500X falls short in several respects. Those looks can only carry you so far, and there are many rivals that offer more space and features, in more modern packages, at better prices.
Audi TT Final Edition Not for SA
After 25 years, the end of the road is approaching for the Audi TT, with the Ingolstadt-based automaker having revealed the fittingly named Final Edition…
The Audi TT nameplate has been around for 25 years, but its time is fast coming to an end. Yes, the German company has confirmed production of this model is drawing to a close, while also revealing the TT Final Edition.
UPDATE: Audi South Africa has confirmed to Cars.co.za the Final Edition is specific to the United Kingdom, saying “in South Africa, we’ve chosen to keep the TT offering to the most exciting versions, the S and RS models. With the RS offering a very high level of specification, exceptional performance and excellent value, it’s understood why the RS model is the preferred model in the range. For this reason, there are no plans to introduce a run-out edition of the TT. The final year of sales for this model will be 2024, with the end of production being in October this year [2023]”.
The badge was introduced to the world at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show in the form of the Audi TT concept. Around 3 years later, the production version of the Mk1 model (codenamed Type 8N) was unveiled, marking the start of a run that would last a quarter of a century.
In 2006, the 2nd-generation model (Type 8J) hit the market, before the current Mk3 TT (Type FV/8S) made its debut in 2014. All 3 generations of the 2-door model – which is offered in coupé and roadster guises – were available in South Africa.
Final Edition models feature a black finish for items such as the badging and rear spoiler.
The current local range comprises a trio of derivatives (the TT S coupé, TT RS coupé and TT RS roadster), with prices running from R894 100 to R1 267 100. As a reminder, the TT S employs a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine sending 228 kW and 380 Nm to all 4 wheels through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The RS, meanwhile, uses Audi’s turbocharged 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder petrol mill, which delivers 294 kW and 480 Nm to all 4 corners via a 7-speed dual-clutch cog-swapper.
In 2022, 106 units of the TT were registered in South Africa, with November proving the strongest month of the year (with 14 sales). January 2023 saw a further 11 units added to the TT’s local tally.
So, what makes a Final Edition? Well, available in Europe in TT and TT S form (in the coupé and roadster body styles), the special-edition is distinguished by what Audi describes as a high standard specification along with “exclusive design touches”.
As standard, the Final Edition features the Ingolstadt-based automaker’s black styling pack, comprising a dark finish for items such as the badges, side-mirror caps, tailpipes and fixed rear spoiler. Roadster derivatives furthermore benefit from rollover bars and a wind diffuser finished in black.
Note the Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, complete with red stitching and a red 12 o’clock marker.
On TT versions, the red brake callipers are framed by 20-inch 5-spoke Y-style matt-grey diamond-cut alloy wheels, while TT S variants ride on Audi Sport 7-spoke rotor anthracite-black alloys with a gloss turned finish. Buyers in Europe have the choice of Tango Red, Glacier White and Chronos Grey metallic paint.
Inside the Euro-spec models, you’ll find a leather finish for the door armrests, pull handles and trim on the centre console, while the model-specific Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel comes with red stitching and a red 12 o’clock marker. The seats, too, have Alcantara elements and feature red stitching, echoed by the red piping adorning the floor mats. The coupé body style furthermore gains Tango Red inserts on the seats, air vents and centre console.
In addition, the Technology Pack comes standard on TT Final Edition models in Europe, adding MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch and Audi Connect Infotainment Services. TT S versions also score the Comfort & Sound Pack, bringing a Bang & Olufsen sound system, advanced key, reversing camera and a full suite of parking sensors.
We’ve asked Audi South Africa if there are plans to bring any TT Final Edition models to local shores and will update this story once we hear back.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: Here’s what you can expect
The outgoing Toyota Urban Cruiser will be replaced by the larger Hyryder in South Africa, though it won’t wear that badge in the local market. Here’s a look at what we can expect…
Toyota has finally confirmed our suspicions that the Hyryder is coming to South Africa, announcing the latest Indian-built crossover will replace the outgoing Urban Cruiser (and indeed inherit its predecessor’s name) in the local market.
The Japanese firm’s local division made the announcement at its 6th annual State of the Motor Industry (SOMI 2023) event, held at Kyalami in Gauteng. The new vehicle was displayed on stage at the event, where Toyota SA Motors also revealed its new Vitz, a rebadged Suzuki Celerio set to replace the Agya.
The Hyryder will be badged simply as the new “Urban Cruiser” in South Africa, despite the fact it’s considerably larger than its forebear (and wears the Hyryder suffix in India). Toyota SA Motors plans to release the fresh-faced model in the 2nd quarter of 2023.
As a reminder, news of the Urban Cruiser’s shock axing first emerged in November 2022. Despite this, it achieved 3rd place on the list of SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles in 2022, with a total of 16 992 registrations.
As we pointed out in our earlier story predicting the Hyryder’s eventual arrival on local soil, the newcomer is yet another product of Toyota’s global alliance with Suzuki. It was developed by Suzuki alongside the closely related new Grand Vitara but is produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor at its Bidadi plant in India. The outgoing Urban Cruiser, of course, was built by Maruti Suzuki at its Gurgaon facility and based on the Vitara Brezza.
Family clash?
You may be wondering where the popular Toyota Corolla Cross fits into the scheme of things and at face value, you may think the two products are potentially rivals. Expected pricing suggests otherwise.
At the time of writing (February 2023), the locally built Corolla Cross range started from R371 200, while the outgoing Toyota Urban Cruiser retailed for just R283 200.
Measuring 4 365 mm from bow to stern, the Hyryder is 370 mm longer than the outgoing Urban Cruiser, while its wheelbase is 100 mm lengthier at 2 600 mm. That puts the Hyryder fairly close in size to the locally produced Corolla Cross which is 4 460 mm long and has a wheelbase of 2 640 mm.
However, we expect Toyota SA Motors to be particularly shrewd with the new model’s engine options and specification list to minimise any overlap.
Features and powertrains
That means it won’t (at first, that is) employ the relatively expensive hybrid powertrains that do duty in the Indian-spec Hyryder. Instead, we’d speculate the new Urban Cruiser will again use Suzuki’s K15B naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol mill to power the front axle.
Toyota SA Motors says the new model will feature a “an all-new SUV design, a larger body with more space, increased safety specification, climate control, cruise control and a reverse camera”.
In India, the Hyryder is electrified thanks to Toyota’s 4th-generation hybrid system. Peaks of 68 kW and 122 Nm from the 1.5-litre motor combine with an electric motor, giving a total system output of 85 kW and 141 Nm. Impressively, Toyota India claims it has a pure electric range of up to 25 km.
Another engine offered in that market is the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol, which features an integrated starter generator. This powertrain produces 75 kW and 137 Nm. As far as transmissions go, the full hybrid gets what Toyota calls its “e-drive” CVT, while the mild-hybrid features either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter. All-wheel drive is offered, too.
Some of the features on offer in India include niceties such as a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, 360-degree parking camera and the ability to activate certain remote functions like climate control through your smart device.
A source closed to Cars.co.za suggests our local derivatives could lose some features in order to prevent the new Urban Cruiser overlapping too much with the locally built Corolla Cross. In addition, the hybrid derivatives won’t be available initially, surely in an effort to keep the price competitive.
If the company manages to keep the price down while offering similar or better levels of standard kit (and appreciably more space) than the outgoing model, it will surely have another impressive volume driver on its hands.
The highly-anticipated new Ford Ranger Raptor has arrived in South Africa! Let’s take a look at 6 cool features that set the Raptor apart from other offerings in the double-cab bakkie segment.
As I write this, I’m preparing to travel to Namibia to drive the new Ford Ranger Raptor in the Namib Desert. To say that I’m excited is an understatement!
The new Ranger Raptor is one of the most anticipated new car introductions for South Africa in 2023.
Now, Ford has upped the ante with the next-generation Ranger Raptor and we are keen to put the newcomer to the test in Namibia as well as on South African roads in the near future.
Let’s take a quick look at 6 Cool Things To Know about the new Ford Ranger Raptor!
The Ranger Raptor draws power from a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine that delivers 292 kW and 583 Nm of torque and makes use of a 10-speed automatic transmission. That’s 135 kW and 80 Nm more than the outgoing Ranger Raptor!
2. Hardcore Offroad Suspension
Apart from the Raptor’s enhanced and strengthened chassis, perhaps the most important component in the Ranger Raptors offroad arsenal is indeed its redesigned suspension setup which includes rear Watt’s link coil springs and FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers with electronic damping that ensures composed and controlled high-speed offroad performance and maximum levels of comfort when driving on tar.
In addition to the suspension, the new Ford Ranger Raptor is, for the first time, equipped with a permanent 4-wheel-drive system with an electronically-controlled 2-speed transfer case as well as a front and rear differential lock. Together with a ground clearance of 272 mm, the Ranger Raptor is ready to tackle any terrain.
3. Driving Modes For All Conditions
The above-mentioned rapid and continuous damper adjustments are linked to the 7 drives modes offered in the Ranger Raptor which include Normal, Sport, Slippery, Rock Crawl, Sand, Mud/Ruts and Baja.
Depending on the drive mode, adjustments are automatically made to the engine, transmission, stability and traction control, exhaust valve actuation, steering and throttle response to achieve the desired result and each mode has its own “theme” shown in the digital displays. Baja mode is the most high-performance mode you can select and this mode primes the Ranger Raptor’s systems for the most hardcore high-speed offroading you can throw at it!
4. Active Exhaust System
If you want to wake up your neighbours early on a Sunday morning, you can with the Ranger Raptor’s new electronically controlled active exhaust system!
The system allows you to adjust the exhaust note to your preference with 4 settings to choose from including Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja, the latter of which is the loudest and most pronounced. Baja is only intended for off-road use.
5. Performance- and Tech-enhanced Interior
The Ranger Raptor’s interior features fighter jet-inspired leather seats that are heavily bolstered to provide maximum support and comfort to the driver during demanding offroad driving.
A 12-inch, vertically-orientated touchscreen with the latest SYNC4 operating system is fitted with wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. The driver is also treated to a 12.4-inch all-digital instrument cluster that can be configured using the mounted controls on the steering wheel. A powerful 10-speaker 660W Bang & Olufsen sound system is also fitted as standard.
6. Nice Price in South Africa
If you consider how much power and offroad capability the new Ford Ranger Raptor has to offer then its asking price of R1 094 900 seems to be fairly reasonable. However, it must be noted that the price excludes a service plan which can be purchased as an option (up to 8-years / 165 000 km). A 4-year/120 000km warranty (can be optionally extended up to 7-year/200 000km), 4-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and 5-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty is standard.
Even so, the Ranger Raptor is still cheaper than the outgoing 190 kW Volkswagen Amarok Extreme (R1 118 200) and R235 000 cheaper than the Jeep Gladiator (R1 329 900) which is currently the most expensive double-cab bakkie available in South Africa.
Look out for our impressions of the new Ford Ranger Raptor on Cars.co.za soon!
The updated 2024 Volkswagen Touareg is due for reveal in May 2023, and is confirmed for South Africa.
In the luxury big SUV segment, the Germans reign supreme with Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche all vying for a slice of the pie. However, there’s another German that’s often forgotten. Remember the Volkswagen Touareg? Exactly.
With its rivals all currently recently being updated (BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE) or in the process of facelift final testing (Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne), the Volkswagen Touareg needs to keep pace.
The good news is the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg is happening. Volkswagen released some official teaser images and details of the updated model undergoing final testing in the frozen north and the great news is that this model is confirmed for SA.
2024 Volkswagen Touareg coming to South Africa?
Yes, that’s right. The updated Touareg is earmarked for a local market introduction in the 4th quarter of 2023, following on from its global reveal in May 2023.
The current iteration was launched locally back in September 2018 priced from R999 800. Right now at the time of writing in February 2023, the Touareg is listed from R1 331 800.
While what you see here is a camouflaged prototype vehicle, there are some interesting design elements if you look closely. The easy ones are the lights, and the new style of Volkswagen’s lightbar on the front grille makes its debut on this model. The rear has an illuminated rear Volkswagen badge, which if carried through to the production model, will cause quite a stir.
An illuminated badge is already available in China and the USA, and this will be the first time we’re likely to see it for the European and SA markets. Upon closer inspection, there’s the new IQ Light technology, new-look grille and much larger air intakes. The tail light array has been tweaked too.
Some interior cabin details have also been shared and the Innovision Cockpit features a 15-inch infotainment system and digital dashboard has been carried over, but there’s new software. Voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been introduced, but the controversial touchpads are present on the steering wheel. Volkswagen has said it will be doing away with these in the future, but we reckon the production of the Touareg facelift was too far along to justify such a radical change.
Thanks to customer feedback, the interior fit and finish of the trim has been upgraded, so things like the armrests and the center console panels are softer meaning more comfort.
Under the skin, the MLB platform and chassis has been tweaked for additional comfort, while the optional air suspension has been enhanced to provide a greater difference between the comfort and the sport settings. A roof sensor has been installed, meaning the car will take into account the fitment of a roofbox and adjust things like the stability control and other assistance systems.
There was no mention of the engines and transmissions, but we’d think its fair to assume that the current engine line-up will be carried over. Overseas markets get the option of a 3.0-litre V6 TSI petrol, a 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel, a plug-in hybrid as well as a performance hybrid with R badging. In South Africa, we got the diesel V6 which offered up 190 kW and 600 Nm, going to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Be on the look out for the 2024 Volkswagen Touareg, which will be revealed in May 2023.
Hybrid or EV: Why our motoring future is electric
In the latest instalment of our Street Smart series, brought to you by Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance, Jacob Moshokoa explains the differences between a hybrid- and fully electric vehicle, plus why you should consider an EV when shopping for your next car.
PARTNERED CONTENT
Isn’t it time to switch to an electric car? Don’t gasp in disbelief – the motoring world has slowly but surely embraced new energy vehicles in a bid to minimise mankind’s impact on the environment and reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Hundreds of thousands of consumers have traded in their purely internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to benefit from the optimised efficiency of hybrid or fully electric vehicles.
For many South Africans, ICE cars are the norm, but if you’re eager to learn more about the advantages of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, you’ll find out how appealing new-energy cars are!
Although they tend to be more expensive than non-electrified models of similar size because of their relative complexity (not to forget higher Government taxation on battery-assisted or -driven vehicles), hybrid and electric cars are greener and better for the environment. Compared with their petrol-driven cousins, they require less maintenance (in the case of EVs) and offer notably lower daily running costs.
Despite South Africa’s energy challenges (let’s just call it by its name: load shedding) and still-developing network of charging stations (most are situated in the major metro areas), electric cars are here to stay.
Let’s help you understand the different types of electric vehicles
Let’s start with the (petrol-electric) hybrid, which has been on the local market for quite a while. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a hybrid runs on petrol as well as electric power, which means that it should achieve notably better fuel consumption than a comparable ICE vehicle without electric assistance.
You get regular as well as plug-in hybrids – “plug-ins” have larger hybrid batteries, can be recharged by being plugged into power outlets and, therefore, run for longer on battery power compared with hybrids.
Another option is a battery-electric (also known as a fully-electric) vehicle. A vehicle commonly referred to as an EV has no combustion engine, just a battery-driven motor under its bonnet. The amazing part is that it produces zero emissions while you drive it, which may earn you a Noddy badge in some circles!
However, EVs are even pricier than their hybrid counterparts; prices start around R700k. Still, consider that while it costs about R55 to charge an EV to travel 100 km, an ICE vehicle would consume about R228 worth of fuel to travel 100 km. On top of that, EVs require way less maintenance than ICE cars.
South Africa’s public charging infrastructure is growing steadily; there are more than 400 private and public charging stations across the nation, with plans in place for many more. As the charging network expands, the relatively low travel range of most EVs will eventually not be of concern for most drivers.
And, at around R200 to recharge a battery with a range of about 400 km, an EV seems a pretty attractive proposition, considering that owners of large SUVs spend a mini mortgage every time they fill up!
Electric vehicles are here to stay, so make the transition to “electric” easier with Absa Vehicle Finance.
For extra information on how you can become a better consumer, keep a lookout for more episodes from our Street Smart series and be sure to visit the Absa blog.
Earlier episodes in our Street Smart video series:
Absa’s Fulufhelo Mandane discusses what you need to consider before you start shopping for a vehicle, the costs of ownership and your various finance options. Absa First-time Buyer Guide to Vehicle Finance
Absa’s Gordon Wood details how the new Aftermarket Guidelines, which were introduced in the motor industry last year, affect you as a vehicle owner. Absa’s Guide to Responsible Vehicle Ownership
Driving my Subaru Prodrive up Franschhoek Pass – This is the joy of motoring
The Subaru Prodrive is not a car you see every day and it’s considered to be a bit of a South African special. Ciro De Siena has just bought one and had to send it over Franschhoek Pass, so we filmed it.
Our video guy, Ciro De Siena, has a longstanding love affair with a special South African edition of the Subaru Impreza, known as the Prodrive. Built and sold locally in 2006/07, the Prodrive has become something of a cult classic. In this video, Ciro takes his new car to a dreamy mountain pass outside Cape Town called Franschhoek Pass, for its first proper shakedown since he bought it late in 2022.
In our next video on the Prodrive, Ciro will take us through his cost of ownership and maintenance on the vehicle so far, and what some of his concerns are.
But in the meantime, enjoy some beautiful footage of what must be one of the most beautiful roads in the world, with a blue machine streaking across the landscape, and Ciro inside talking nonsense.
Fiat has given its 500X crossover an update and it’s now available in South Africa with 3 derivatives to choose from! Take a look at specification and pricing details below!
Fiat has rationalised and updated its 500X offering in South Africa. Local buyers can now choose between 3 derivatives including 500X Cross, 500X Sport and the 500X Sport EST (Extended Soft Top).
All Fiat 500X derivatives are powered by a 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine with 103 kW and 230 Nm of torque and equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fiat claims 5.7 L/100km.
What standard features are on offer?
Fiat 500X Cross
Front and rear cross bumpers
Black mirror caps
Satin chrome handles
LED Daytime Running Lights
Fog lights
18-inch alloy wheels
Cloth and leather combination upholstery
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
6-speaker radio
3.5-inch digital TFT instrument cluster
Cruise control with speed llimiter
Traffic sign recognition and Speed Adviser
Lane Assist
Dusk sensor
Automatic dual-zone air conditioning
6 airbags / ABS with EBD / ESC / Hill Hold Assist
Fiat 500X Sport
The 500X Sport derivative adds the following features:
Body-coloured wheel arches
Side skirts
19-inch wheels
Sport badging
Dual chrome exhaust tips
Leather upholstery
Alcantara steering wheel and binnacle
Titanium finish dashboard trim
Fiat 500X Sport Extended Soft Top (EST)
The 500X Sport EST adds the following features:
Electronic folding soft-top roof (775 mm x 730 mm) opens in 15 seconds at speeds up to 100 kph.
How much does the Fiat 500X Cost in South Africa?
Fiat 500X Cross – R509 900
Fiat 500X Sport – R560 900
Fiat 500X Sport EST – R580 900
The Fiat 500X is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and roadside assistance. A 3-year/60 000km service plan is also included.
